The global economy is experiencing a period of upheaval. High inflation, geopolitical tensions, the current slowdown, and the spectre of a recession are fuelling uncertainty. Despite the situation, the city stands out for its robust economy.
While the Greater Montréal economy is strong, this is in part because of its business base and businesses that are united in tacking challenges, with creativity and confidence.
The Chamber’s pillar sponsors – Air Canada, Bell, CGI, Hydro-Québec, Rio Tinto, and SNC-Lavalin – commit year after year to tackling our collective challenges. In this important transition period, particularly on ecological and technological fronts, this mobilization shows that we are collectively prepared to deal with these major challenges and build the Montréal of tomorrow.
The pillars campaign will run during June 2023. It will appear on the Chamber’s social media and in traditional media.
Strength in numbers: an essential component to tackling our collective challenges
With the urgency of the green transition no longer in doubt, businesses have to address issues of international attractiveness, going green to respond to the climate emergency, integrating innovation, as well as diversity and inclusion. The business community mobilizes daily to take concrete action and protect the vitality of Greater Montréal.
The city’s attractiveness beyond our borders: we are tackling the challenge
International connectivity is key to the city’s attractiveness. The flow of talent, merchandise, capital, and data makes a major contribution to the growth of its economy and businesses. Greater Montréal saw record foreign investment in 2021, in the amount of $3.8 billion1.
This performance confirms our power to attract international investors, to the benefit of our economy.
The green shift in businesses: we are tackling the challenge
Ninety-five percent of Montréal businesses believe a green strategy is an important part of their business model2. Recent surveys by the Chamber indicate that Greater Montréal businesses are very concerned about climate change and are prepared to review their strategies to foster more sustainable growth.
Innovation: we are tackling the challenge
The city has continued to grow more competitive through innovation. As evidence of this, $1.1 billion in venture capital was invested in Greater Montréal in 2022 to stimulate innovation3. The year came second behind 2021 in terms of the amount venture of capital invested in Quebec and Canada.
Inclusion in the workplace: we are tackling the challenge
The diversification of teams benefits businesses, including by increasing financing and innovation. Diverse teams show great collective intelligence and perform better. This is why 67% of businesses have equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives4.
1 Montréal International
2 Chambre de commerce du Montréal métropolitain
3 Réseau capital
4 Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés